The effect of intravenous dextran 70 on enteric bacterial translocation after partial hepatectomy in rats

This study evaluated the effect of partial hepatectomy on enteric bacterial translocation in rats and the preventive action of dextran 70. Sixty rats were divided into three equal groups of 20 animals each. GI were subjected to sham operation, while 70% hepatectomy was done in GII & GIII thirty minutes after saline and dextran 70 administration respectively. In each group, relaparotomy was done in 10 animals 2 & 12 hrs postoperatively respectively during which IVC blood sample, intestine, MLN and liver samples were obtained for bacteriological examination. Detection of bacterial DNA in IVC blood samples was done using PCR- based technique. The results revealed that partial hepatectomy induced significant intestinal bacterial overgrowth 2 hrs (P < 0.01) & 12 hrs (P < 0.001) postoperatively compared to sham group. Bacterial translocation to MLN, liver and blood was noticed after partial hepatectomy compared to negative cultures in sham operation. Dextran 70 injection significantly diminished enteric bacterial growth and translocation in partially hepatectomized rats. So, partial liver resection induces enteric bacterial translocation in rats that could be prevented by IV dextran 70 administration.